This week we’re tackling one of the trickiest topics in the sector - the legal side of running a charity. From fraud prevention and trustee payments to Charity Commission guidance and board responsibilities, we lift the lid on what it really takes to stay compliant and confident.
Our guest is Kirsty McEwen, Head of the Charity & Not-for-Profit team at Higgs LLP, a trustee many times over, and a lawyer with 25 years’ experience advising everyone from small start-ups to national organisations. Kirsty joins Tim and Piers to demystify charity law, share practical advice and highlight the most common legal pitfalls facing charities today.
Plus, we reflect on a tough week at the Brain Tumour Charity following the announcement of rugby legend Lewis Moody’s MND diagnosis.
We also dive in to LinkedIn algorithms, bots overtaking humans online, and a fascinating story about how VR technology is transforming cancer treatment for children.
In this episode
🧠 Fraud & governance – How small charities can protect themselves from cybercrime and internal fraud.
📜 Legal basics – What every trustee should know about constitutions, conflicts of interest and payments.
📈 New Charity Commission guidance – From fraud prevention to donations, accounting and compliance.
⚖️ When things go wrong – What to do if your charity makes a mistake — and when to tell the Commission.
🌍 Becoming a Trustee – Kirsty’s advice for anyone thinking of joining a board or setting up a charity.
❤️ Small charity spotlight – Featuring VASA and Kira’s Kingdom, two local charities making a big difference.
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